WORLD JOURNAL OF ADVANCE
HEALTHCARE RESEARCH

Dr. Ashraf Ibrahim Gandary*, Dr. Fakhir Yousif Hussain, Dr. Ali Abdul-Rahman Younis

ABSTRACT

Background: A chronic autoimmune illness that causes progressive joint degeneration, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a major source of pain and functional impairment. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized etanercept (ETN) as the first biologic response modifier for use in RA. Etanercept has been shown in several clinical trials to be both safe and effective in treating active RA. Objective: To assess the effectiveness and safety of etanercept in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in a sample of Iraqi patients. Patients and methods: Over the course of 12 months, 100 Iraqi patients with RA who were referred from rheumatology seniors in Nineveh province to the biologics committee in the rheumatology sector at IBN_SINA Teaching Hospital between April 2019 and April 2020 participated in this open-labeled single group retrospective study. From the beginning of the trial until its conclusion, all of the enrolled patients received etanercept at a dose of 50 mg by subcutaneous injection every week, either with or without methotrexate. After three and six months, the patients' safety and effectiveness of the medication were assessed. Every patient's side effects were examined and documented on each doctor's appointment, and data was gathered. Results: The usage of etanercept resulted in a substantial decrease in platelet count (P≤ 0.05) and a significant improvement in disease activity score (DAS28) (P≤ 0.05) after 6 months of therapy. Aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, urea, creatinine, hemoglobin level, and white blood cell count, however, did not alter significantly. Conclusion: For individuals with RA, etanercept 50 mg once weekly for 24 weeks was a reasonably safe and successful medication.